If you are new to skincare, creating a well-rounded, effective regimen can be intimidating – but it doesn’t have to be! We’ve created a comprehensive guide on how to start a skincare routine. We’ll go through the foundational steps, as well as additional products you can add to achieve your skincare goals.
Importance of Determining Your Skin Type
Building a routine that caters to your skin type is the key to getting the most from your products. Once you know your skin type, you can choose formulas that effectively serve your skin’s unique needs.
Skin types are broken up into five different categories:
Dry Skin: Dry skin produces less oil compared to other skin types, leaving it prone to dryness, rough patches, and flaking.
Oily Skin: By contrast, oily skin overproduces oil, which can lead to a complexion that looks shiny.
Combination Skin: With combination skin, certain areas of the face produce extra oil – typically the forehead, nose, and chin. Meanwhile, the cheeks and jaw tend to be more dry.
Sensitive Skin: Sensitive skin types are especially prone to irritation. This may show up in the form of redness, itchiness, stinging, or other signs of aggravation.
Normal Skin: This skin type has a good balance of oil, and isn’t at a high risk of experiencing irritation.
Basic Skincare Routine Steps
The first step in making a skincare routine for beginners is establishing a foundation regimen. The following are the basic skincare steps everyone should follow to maintain healthy skin:
Cleansing: Cleansing clears away dirt, oil, bacteria, and any other debris that may be present on the skin. By doing this, a cleanser preps the skin for the next steps in your routine. We recommend sticking with a gentle daily cleanser, which will properly cleanse without aggravating or drying out the skin.
Toning: Toners are lightweight, multi-tasking products that help soften, calm, and refresh the skin. We suggest reaching for a super nourishing, hydrating toner.
Moisturizing: A moisturizer will douse the skin with moisture to ensure it remains soft and supple. It also supports the skin barrier, which is key for healthy, comfortable skin.
Sun Protection: You should always end your morning routine with sunscreen. Sunscreen will protect your skin against the sun’s harmful rays, keeping damage at bay.
Additional Skincare Tips
Once you’ve established a basic routine, you can consider adding additional products to tackle specific concerns and achieve your skincare goals. Some options include:
Exfoliants: An exfoliant will work to clear away dead skin cells to promote smoother, softer skin. Exfoliants come in two forms: chemical and physical. Physical exfoliants manually buff the skin, whereas chemical exfoliants dissolve the bonds on dead skin cells to clear them away.
Serums and Treatments: Serums and treatments take on many different forms, but in short, they can be used to address a wide range of concerns. An anti-aging serum, for example, will tackle some of the most common visible signs of aging, whereas a brightening serum will promote a more even skin tone.
Eye Creams: Eye creams are used to tackle common issues that manifest on the skin around the eyes, such as fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness, and bags.
Building a Routine
As you build your routine, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, it’s important to know how to properly layer your products. As a general guideline, you will want to follow this routine: cleanse, tone, apply serums or treatments (if using), and apply eye cream (if using). In the morning, apply your sunscreen as the last step.
Depending on the products you’re using, your morning and evening routines may also look slightly different. For example, a few nights a week you may apply a chemical exfoliant, but stick with your serums in the morning.
Lastly, note that consistency is key. You won’t see results overnight, but with some patience, you’ll begin to see and feel the changes in your complexion.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One of the biggest mistakes we see beginners make is trying a ton of new products at once. We get it – it can be tempting. However, if you try three new products at the same time and end up having a negative reaction, it’ll be hard to pinpoint exactly which product is the culprit. This can be especially problematic when trying more than one aggressive treatment or exfoliants.
Instead, incorporate just one new product into your routine and try it for a couple weeks. Once you know it works for your skin, you can add another product to your routine.
Ultimately, if you are a skincare beginner, take time to build your skincare routine. Start with your foundational regimen, and then build from there as needed. This is the best way to create a routine that best serves your skin, ensuring you’ll see optimal results.
